Daybreak Devotions

Part of the great struggle of life is that at times it can seem the trouble comes from several fronts at once: multi-directional! We can barely get our mind around one assault before two more come from two other directions. If it is not the danger of predators, it is the discomfort of the elements, or the disturbance of pests, or even the distractions of the unimportant and inconsequential. When you get hit from all sides at the same time the natural tendency is to panic and then either freeze or run! We need the Shepherd!

Join Pastor Mike for a look into Psalm 23 and how we can learn the way of following the Shepherd of our Soul.

We invite your feedback and your questions which we may try to answer on a future episode! You can write us at [email protected].

We wrap up a week of focusing on developing our life of devotion and holiness by discussing the benefits of living the truths of Psalm 23. This is likely the most popular of all psalms and one of the most well-known and frequently used passages in all of scripture. Yet, too often it has been relegated to funerals and attached to the idea of death, and while there is comfort in these verse for such a time as that, this Psalm is first and foremost about life! It is about having everything one needs to make life completely wonderful and fulfilling. Dean Carmichael joins Pastor Mike again to talk through this beautiful, powerful song of the Shepherd's care. 

But first, it is Friday! So, we need to have a little fun as we share a few laughs, learn about DNA testing of Santa Claus, and take a stroll down Mayberry history together.

We invite your feedback and your questions which we may try to answer on a future episode! You can write us at [email protected].

As one reads through the gospels there is a striking reminder of just how efficiently and effectively productive Jesus' life and ministry was and yet without him ever reaching that point of “burn out,” which we understand to mean getting to the place where we are living in chronic stress with feelings of ineffectiveness. Chronic stress, chronic irritation, and chronic feelings of having wasted one’s life can all be avoided and recovered from if we can look unto Jesus and follow his example.

While this may seem blatantly obvious, O how we struggle to do it! We are too easily distracted, so mentally and soulfully divided, and sadly, we are very often so kingdom of God disinterested.

A hymn that often comes to my heart as I read and meditate in the gospels…

“O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;

We invite your feedback and your questions which we may try to answer on a future episode! You can write us at [email protected].

In this edition we close our discussion on the spiritual discipline of Meditative Prayer by walking through what Pastor Mike calls, "The Six Movements of the Heart." The six movements briefly stated are…

1. Preparation (Ps. 16:8-11)

2. Invocation (Ps. 25:4)

3. Consideration (Ps. 19:14)

4. Resolution (Ps. 119:27; Prov. 16:3).

5. Benediction (Ps.106:1; 1 Chron.29:13).

6. Reflection (Ps. 102:18; Prov. 20:5)

Meditation is a focus on the truth of God (his word and his works) which trains our attention and awareness so that we are growing in the knowledge of God and building resilience to be strong in the Lord. Meditation is a way to fill up the treasury of the heart and mind with truth. It is the very foundational work of the pastor (1 Timothy 4:13-16), and it is the groundwork of every believer to pursue the will of God and find God-honoring success in life (Joshua 1:8). It is so we can flood our soul with God and flush our soul of the world!

We invite your feedback and your questions which we may try to answer on a future episode! You can write us at [email protected].

Pastor Mike is joined by guest co-host Dean Carmichael for the continuing discussion on the role of meditative prayer in our spiritual formation. Particularly, the discussion centers on just why this is so important, and why making this a priority in the morning is extremely helpful to building a God consciousness in our entire day.

Resource Mentioned:

The Mystery of Godliness: Barnette, Pastor Mike, Cantrell, Associate Pastor Corey, Russell, Charlie, Van Horn, Dr. Mike: 9798577988012: Amazon.com: Books

In the heart of every true follower of Christ there is a power invested by the Holy Spirit, the power of true godliness. This power is given to us so that we might live the gospel, have power to witness for the kingdom, power to reflect the light, love, and life of Jesus Christ in a world gone utterly mad in its darkness and despair. The Mystery of Godliness is a compilation of the teaching conducted in a three-day church conference in August of 2020 at the McLeansville Baptist Church in McLeansville, NC. The purpose of the conference was to teach and experience what true godliness is...

1) Christ formed in our lives (more than imitation, but an impartation of His nature).

2) Discovering true holiness that is rooted in our deep love of God and walk with Him, not in our compliance with religious traditions or man-made rules.

3) To unlock the potential of spiritual disciplines that will develop godliness in our lives.

4) To prepare every Soldier of Christ for the reality of spiritual warfare, both the defensive and offensive postures, and how the above disciplines play a vital role. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness" - 1 Timothy 3:16

To be engaged with lengthy times of prayer can seem like a daunting task - unless you understand that continuing in prayer is simply bringing yourself into the presence of God. Today, the conversation revolves around this very thing, what exactly is meant by meditative prayer?

We welcome your feedback at [email protected]!

Why did Saul trust David to fight Goliath, and what was it about this unknown shepherd that caused him to acquire such a prestigious position in the king's court? The discussion today centers around this very thought, with some fun along the way, because after all, it's Friday Funday!

We welcome your feedback at [email protected]!

No big I's, or little you's, God will use whom He desires. So, what then is God looking for in a vessel for His use? Pastors Mike Barnette and Corey Cantrell continue to compare and contrast the hearts of King Saul and King David, gleaning truths about what our lives should look like in order to bring God glory.

We welcome your feedback at [email protected]!

When we read of men like David in Scripture, we could never hope to reach the level of spirituality they had, right? Today's discussion revolves around the premise that it's the heart of a man that separates him for God's use, not the physical traits he possesses. So what made David, David?

We welcome your feedback at [email protected]!

One looked good to man, one looked good to God. What were the key differences? That's the topic of today's discussion!

We welcome your feedback at [email protected]!